a slight bias

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "a slight bias" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used when discussing a minor inclination or preference that may affect judgment or perspective. Example: "The study revealed a slight bias in the data collection process, which could influence the results."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Formal & Business

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

"If anything, there is a slight bias to the upside".

The New York Times - Tech

"Women live longer, which brings a slight bias.

Independent

Since Survey USAs polling techniques tend to generate a slight bias toward Republicans, this is a surprising result.

The New Yorker

Anyone that knows me pretty well will know that I have a slight bias against books written by YouTubers.

The Guardian

And the 22 stories collected here for the most part fulfil these criteria, with a slight bias towards the bloody.

The Guardian - Books

Reagan had a "slight bias toward gold and its disciplines," Treasury Secretary Donald Regan told reporters at the time.

The Washington Post

It's a tribute to home cooking and homey flavors, both French and American, with a slight bias toward the Atlantic coasts of both nations.

The New York Times - Arts

I think there's a slight bias of women to work for women because there's still a slight cultural bias for men to help men.

The New York Times - Science

Governments, according to the conventional wisdom, should aim for stable prices, with a slight bias toward inflation to stimulate the "animal spirits" of businessmen and shoppers.

The Guardian - Business

An analysis of residuals indicated that for the most part no obvious trends were evident; although a slight bias was detected in NEP with soil temperature.

Ecological Modelling

Should it apply only a slight bias to favor women?

Forbes

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "a slight bias", ensure the context clarifies what is being biased and the direction or object of that bias. This adds clarity and prevents misinterpretation.

Common error

Avoid exaggerating the impact of "a slight bias". It implies a minor influence; using it to describe a major distortion undermines its meaning and credibility.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "a slight bias" functions as a noun phrase that often acts as a subject complement or an object in a sentence. As Ludwig AI points out, it indicates a minor tendency or preference, influencing the neutrality of an observation or decision.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Science

45%

News & Media

42%

Formal & Business

13%

Less common in

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, the phrase "a slight bias" is a common and grammatically sound expression used to denote a minor inclination or preference that could influence a situation. As highlighted by Ludwig AI, it appears frequently in scientific, news, and formal business contexts. When using this phrase, ensure clarity about what is being biased and to what extent, avoiding exaggeration of its impact. Related phrases like "a small preference" or "a minor inclination" can be used as alternatives depending on the nuance you want to convey. By understanding its usage and potential pitfalls, writers can effectively and accurately incorporate "a slight bias" into their work.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

a small preference

Indicates a preference that is limited in scale or degree.

a minor inclination

Emphasizes a leaning or tendency that is not strong or significant.

a mild prejudice

Suggests a preformed opinion or feeling, though not intensely held.

a touch of favoritism

Implies showing partiality towards someone or something, but only to a small degree.

a marginal skew

Highlights a slight deviation from what is considered normal or balanced.

a gentle leaning

Conveys a subtle tendency in a particular direction or towards a certain viewpoint.

a faint partiality

Indicates a weak or barely noticeable inclination towards something.

a limited bent

Suggests a restrained or confined preference or aptitude.

a subtle leaning

Implies a slight and not easily noticeable tendency towards something.

a shade of preference

Analogizes a preference as a subtle variation in color, indicating a slight difference.

FAQs

How can I use "a slight bias" in a sentence?

Use "a slight bias" to indicate a minor preference or inclination that might influence a decision or outcome. For example, "The data showed "a slight bias" towards younger participants."

What are some alternatives to "a slight bias"?

You can use alternatives like "a small preference", "a minor inclination", or "a mild prejudice" depending on the context.

Is it always negative to have "a slight bias"?

Not necessarily. "A slight bias" simply indicates a tendency or inclination, which may not always be negative. Whether it's positive, negative, or neutral depends on the context and the nature of the bias.

What's the difference between "a slight bias" and "a strong bias"?

"A slight bias" indicates a minor inclination, while "a strong bias" suggests a significant and potentially overwhelming preference or prejudice. The key difference is the degree of influence.